STUDENTS at Queen’s Park Academy in Bournemouth tossed their mortar boards into the air as they celebrated the end of their primary school lives.

The year 6 pupils took part in a special graduation ceremony in front of their family and friends on their penultimate day at the school yesterday.

Executive headteacher Brian Hooper said it was an emotional day for everyone.

“It was absolutely brilliant but quite an emotional experience,” he said.

“They have been together a long time and are starting a whole new journey in their lives. They are all going to different schools and it will be a big change for them.”

The 90 youngsters, who will take up their places at secondary school in September, were dressed in graduation robes and mortar boards and called up to the stage to collect their specially made scrolls.

Mr Hooper said: “They have worked so hard and we wanted to give them something they could remember.

“We started it about two years ago when the school started to improve and we wanted to raise the self-esteem of the children and reward them for their hard work.”

Mr Hooper, who has been executive headteacher at the school for the past three years, said the ceremony marked the end of an “incredible” year for the school.

“Our mantra is high expectations lead to high achievements,” he explained.

“And we’ve had an incredible year. Their SATs results are even better than last year.

“We were inspected by Ofsted three weeks ago and were rated as outstanding in all four areas. This just tops off an outstanding year for us.”

Comments

Looks like another American idea starting in this country, another way for someone to make money from parents who won't want to disappoint their kids.

I agree proms when they leave school altogether is ok but going from junior to high school is ridiculous.

[quote][p][bold]Townee[/bold] wrote:
Looks like another American idea starting in this country, another way for someone to make money from parents who won't want to disappoint their kids.[/p][/quote]I agree proms when they leave school altogether is ok but going from junior to high school is ridiculous.hamworthygirl

Townee wrote…

Looks like another American idea starting in this country, another way for someone to make money from parents who won't want to disappoint their kids.

I agree proms when they leave school altogether is ok but going from junior to high school is ridiculous.

Score: 2

Sir Beachy Head
2:54pm Tue 22 Jul 14

Holy fcuk batman, all these years I thought graduation meant you passed some exams. Now it just means you reached 11 years old.
This is the most stupidest idea since that time the Government said we can't use the word 'fail' if a kid fails an exam, it must be called 'deferred success' instead.

Holy fcuk batman, all these years I thought graduation meant you passed some exams. Now it just means you reached 11 years old.
This is the most stupidest idea since that time the Government said we can't use the word 'fail' if a kid fails an exam, it must be called 'deferred success' instead.Sir Beachy Head

Holy fcuk batman, all these years I thought graduation meant you passed some exams. Now it just means you reached 11 years old.
This is the most stupidest idea since that time the Government said we can't use the word 'fail' if a kid fails an exam, it must be called 'deferred success' instead.

Score: 3

Townee
1:25pm Tue 22 Jul 14

Looks like another American idea starting in this country, another way for someone to make money from parents who won't want to disappoint their kids.

Looks like another American idea starting in this country, another way for someone to make money from parents who won't want to disappoint their kids.Townee

Looks like another American idea starting in this country, another way for someone to make money from parents who won't want to disappoint their kids.

Score: 6

Bob Bournemouth
2:03pm Tue 22 Jul 14

There was an article on this website last week of a graduation ceremony for pre-schoolers - totally OTT!

There was an article on this website last week of a graduation ceremony for pre-schoolers - totally OTT!Bob Bournemouth

There was an article on this website last week of a graduation ceremony for pre-schoolers - totally OTT!

Score: 3

polblagger
2:41pm Tue 22 Jul 14

Yet another example of praising children for mediocrity and lowering the scholastic bar.

As well as yet another nail in the coffin of this countries heritage and another step closer to the faceless state of generics.

Yet another example of praising children for mediocrity and lowering the scholastic bar.
As well as yet another nail in the coffin of this countries heritage and another step closer to the faceless state of generics.polblagger

Yet another example of praising children for mediocrity and lowering the scholastic bar.

As well as yet another nail in the coffin of this countries heritage and another step closer to the faceless state of generics.

Score: 1

Psychomum
7:58pm Tue 22 Jul 14

My son 'Graduated' from QPA last year. He also had a prom.

I thought similar at that point.....all too American, all to silly for them 'just' going up to secondary school.

HOWEVER....the children took great pride in it all. They thoroughly enjoyed their leaving ceremonies. They made wonderful memories of a rite of passage we all go through, and it signaled the next step for them all. The pride and tears shed by us, the parents, also made for memories we treasure.....I certainly do.

It doesn;t have to cost money.....I didn;t spend much on his clothing for the prom, and the school provided the Graduation gowns and caps, which are used yearly.

Do not forget, some children may not have the luxury of being able to do this when they leave their next school......teenage years are tumultuous and fraught with many life changes.....11 year olds are still full of hope and excitement, so for once, stop pouring negativity on things schools do for children, and see the joy shining on the kids faces. This is something great, and not a photo with crossed arms and glum faces ;-).

My son 'Graduated' from QPA last year. He also had a prom.
I thought similar at that point.....all too American, all to silly for them 'just' going up to secondary school.
HOWEVER....the children took great pride in it all. They thoroughly enjoyed their leaving ceremonies. They made wonderful memories of a rite of passage we all go through, and it signaled the next step for them all. The pride and tears shed by us, the parents, also made for memories we treasure.....I certainly do.
It doesn;t have to cost money.....I didn;t spend much on his clothing for the prom, and the school provided the Graduation gowns and caps, which are used yearly.
Do not forget, some children may not have the luxury of being able to do this when they leave their next school......teenage years are tumultuous and fraught with many life changes.....11 year olds are still full of hope and excitement, so for once, stop pouring negativity on things schools do for children, and see the joy shining on the kids faces. This is something great, and not a photo with crossed arms and glum faces ;-).Psychomum

My son 'Graduated' from QPA last year. He also had a prom.

I thought similar at that point.....all too American, all to silly for them 'just' going up to secondary school.

HOWEVER....the children took great pride in it all. They thoroughly enjoyed their leaving ceremonies. They made wonderful memories of a rite of passage we all go through, and it signaled the next step for them all. The pride and tears shed by us, the parents, also made for memories we treasure.....I certainly do.

It doesn;t have to cost money.....I didn;t spend much on his clothing for the prom, and the school provided the Graduation gowns and caps, which are used yearly.

Do not forget, some children may not have the luxury of being able to do this when they leave their next school......teenage years are tumultuous and fraught with many life changes.....11 year olds are still full of hope and excitement, so for once, stop pouring negativity on things schools do for children, and see the joy shining on the kids faces. This is something great, and not a photo with crossed arms and glum faces ;-).

Score: 2

polblagger
8:18pm Tue 22 Jul 14

Of course they're going to take pride in it they are being the center of attention and congratulated for doing nothing!

Last time I checked their is no scholastic test you need to pass to go to secondary school.

If we spoil and congratulate children for mediocrity what are they supposed to aim for?

You are setting up a generation to think all they have to do to get a job is turn up and there'll be a marching band and fireworks to welcome them.

I'm all for honouring achievement but leaving junior school is an inevitability backed by law, it's nothing special.

Of course they're going to take pride in it they are being the center of attention and congratulated for doing nothing!
Last time I checked their is no scholastic test you need to pass to go to secondary school.
If we spoil and congratulate children for mediocrity what are they supposed to aim for?
You are setting up a generation to think all they have to do to get a job is turn up and there'll be a marching band and fireworks to welcome them.
I'm all for honouring achievement but leaving junior school is an inevitability backed by law, it's nothing special.polblagger

Of course they're going to take pride in it they are being the center of attention and congratulated for doing nothing!

Last time I checked their is no scholastic test you need to pass to go to secondary school.

If we spoil and congratulate children for mediocrity what are they supposed to aim for?

You are setting up a generation to think all they have to do to get a job is turn up and there'll be a marching band and fireworks to welcome them.

I'm all for honouring achievement but leaving junior school is an inevitability backed by law, it's nothing special.

Score: 0

sammmymac
3:21am Fri 25 Jul 14

Naff to the extreme and undervalues what graduation and degrees is really about. There are much classier ways to mark this rite of passage.

Naff to the extreme and undervalues what graduation and degrees is really about. There are much classier ways to mark this rite of passage.sammmymac

Naff to the extreme and undervalues what graduation and degrees is really about. There are much classier ways to mark this rite of passage.

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